Color Security Cameras : Color for home surveillance.

The Benefits Of Color Security Cameras.

Color security cameras are fast becoming the number one choice for home security.

Many people thinking about purchasing color cameras for home security may
also wonder if a black and white camera wouldn’t be sufficient.

Although it is true that black and white security cameras may have a smaller price tag, there are a few
things you should consider regarding their effectiveness when compared
to color cameras.

The color cameras that are integrated in a CCTV system work with the Charge Coupled Device (CCD) technology, which means that they convert the pictures captured by the camera lens into electronic data.

This provides good quality images that are less vulnerable to noise, and the technology used is not very expensive.

Most cameras used for surveillance and home security have a
usable image size of between 1/4″ and 1″.

The average image size is of
around 1/4″ or 1/3″ and the CCTV market abounds in this type of camera.

If you wish to have better image quality in areas or times of day
when there is very little ambient light, larger formats will perform
better.

Now let’s have a look at the pros and cons of color security
cameras and black and white cameras.

Color security cameras vs. black and white cameras.

Once color surveillance cameras were only used by corporations as
they used more complicated and expensive technology than their black
and white counterparts and few small businesses could afford them.

Color cameras were almost non-existent in home surveillance because of the cost factor.

color security camera

Today however, prices have dropped and the home security market has excellent offers on color cameras that most homeowners can afford.

Any security expert will tell you that a color camera is more
effective since you can identify different colors, knowing the color of
an intruder’s shirt for example could be vital for identification.

On the other hand, black and white cameras are more suitable for
poorly lit locations, but when it comes to indoor surveillance CCTV
color cameras are perhaps the best choice.

You can also find many color cameras that will easily switch from color to black and white when the light situation demands it.

Technical specs of color security cameras.

Whether you are considering high tech wireless color surveillance cameras or the hardwired camera models, there are a few things you should look for.

Signal to noise ratio (S/N) – this is the balance between
actual picture information and image noise, or static.

A ratio of 40db
shows that the signal is 100 times stronger than the noise, which
produces an acceptable image quality and is about the average ratio.
60db produces excellent image quality while 30db is quite poor and not
really recommended.

The camera itself is not the only element that can insert noise; a
low light setting or poor wiring can introduce static into the system.

Resolution – this is one of the vital features of any security camera. The higher the resolution of the surveillance camera, the sharper are the pictures it produces.

Try to look for horizontal TV lines (TVL), with average numbers
of around 350 to 400 TVL. High-resolution cameras may have 500 TLV or
higher.

If you have a camera model that you want to upgrade, you can do
so for a reasonably modest cost. But before you purchase a hi-res camera
or upgrade, make sure your video supports higher resolutions as well,
otherwise you are just wasting your money.

Sensitivity to light – this feature is measured in lux. The lower the lux sensitivity, the better the camera sees
in the dark.

You can find plenty of color security cameras that have a
lux sensitivity of 1 or 0.5 meaning that they perform well in dimly lit
situations. With the aid of infrared lighting a camera can work with 0
LUX – in total darkness.

In summary. . .

  • Color home security cameras now cost little more than black and white models.
  • Cameras are available that will switch from color to black and white when the situation demands it.
  • Choose a S/N ratio of at least 40db for an acceptable image quality.
  • For a sharp picture choose a color camera with around 350 to 400 TVL.
  • The lower the lux sensitivity the less light the camera needs to work with.

Surveillance for Security
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Home CCTV

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Color Security Cameras.

Hidden Security Cameras
Modern
technology has helped make surveillance cameras very compact, this
opens up quite a variety of opportunities to hide them both inside and
outside your home.